In Anthony Anderson’s new film, G20, he plays First Gentleman Derek Sutton, the husband of Viola Davis’ Danielle Sutton, who happens to be the President of the United States.
The 54-year-old actor told Us Weekly exclusively that he and Davis’ on-screen chemistry in the film was inspired by real-life political power couple Barack and Michelle Obama, who navigated two presidential terms together as husband and wife.
“The relationship that we saw between Barack and Michelle was something that we brought to the screen for our characters,” Anderson said about his performance with Davis at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards on February 27. “Showing our independence and our love for one another, and just Black love in general.”
G20 follows Davis’ Sutton as she defends her family, fellow leaders, and the world after terrorists take over the G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The Prime Video thriller stars Marsai Martin as the couple’s daughter, Serena, and Ramón Rodríguez as their trusted Secret Service agent Manny Ruiz.
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Anderson revealed that he chatted with former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff about the role, adding that he was “looking towards [former Vice President] Kamala Harris” while prepping for the film.
“I spoke to [Harris’] husband for a little bit. We talked about the film. I was like, ‘I play you!’” Anderson explained. “[Viola and I] just worked on that dynamic and tried to put forth something that we wanted to see.”
Anderson promised that fans are going to be “thoroughly entertained” by G20, which was filmed on location in Cape Town and directed by Patricia Riggen. The black-ish alum added that audiences will see Oscar winner Davis “kick ass” in a new way as both their characters are “ex-military.”
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“It’s an action adventure film showing Viola Davis — I’m not going to say in a light that she hasn’t been. Hell, everybody saw The Woman King, so they saw her kick ass!” Anderson gushed. “But she’s kicking ass in another way in this film. There’s a lot of gravitas to it. It makes sense that we are in the trenches in the way that we are.”
Ultimately, Anderson is thrilled to work with Davis: “I’m excited to share the screen with her in that way and to watch her in a way that people haven’t seen.”
G20 will stream globally on Prime Video Friday, April 10.
